Money Talks

We often hear that switching to a different service provider can save you hundreds, if not thousands. And yet, many people are reluctant to make the move. Is it the effort? The research required? The mere thought of it? Or are we just stubbornly set in our ways? On this episode of Money Talks , we look at how to go about making the big switch.  ­ Host: Katie Byrne. Guests: Charlie Weston and...

As the new year gets underway, how do we get our heads together and manage our money, particularly if we find ourselves in a state of difficult debt? Not to mention all the natural anxieties that accompany it. On this episode, we look at one person’s tricky experience with debt and examine how it speaks to universal issues, learning curves and the argument that if you can’t afford to buy it twice,...

It’s that time of year again, in that it’s time for a brand-new year and all the guaranteed positive life changes that will definitely come with it. Even if you don’t believe in the concept of calendar-bound resolutions, it’s human nature to try and get our house in order. So, what does that mean for your bank balance? When is the best time to start properly looking at your finances? And are fewer...

Merry Xmas Everybody, Fairytale of New York , and of course Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You - genuinely iconic Christmas songs, all, but how much cash do they rake in, who gets the money and why have we not had any newly profitable festive smashes in recent years? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: John Meagher The content of this podcast is for information purposes and does not constitute in...

Congratulations, you've won the Lotto. Now, what exactly do you do next? One of the most important things a new winner will do is sit down and speak with a financial planner to guide them through the process – after all, the life they knew is forever changed. One such planner is Eoin McGee, founder of Prosperous Financial Services, who visits the Money Talks studio this week to pull back the curta...

’Tis the season for giving, goodwill and some gruelling financial headaches that can lead to heated arguments. There is rarely a good time for a row, but surely we all want Christmas to be full of joy and free of stress. So what are the biggest money-related fights of the festive season? And how can you avoid them altogether? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Maxine Walsh The content of this podcast is for...

Fly In, Fly Out – or ‘FIFO’ for short – is all about taking up temporary employment in a remote location where the demands are extremely intense, but the rewards are hugely lucrative. It’s not for everyone and valid questions have been raised about safety. For Irishman occasionally abroad Cal McIlwaine, FIFO has become a way of life. On this episode of Money Talks , he breaks down his FIFO journey...

SundayWorld.com is getting a new look by rebranding to CrimeWorld.com - your inside track on Ireland’s criminal underworld. To mark the occasion, acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Nicola Tallant visits the Money Talks studio to talk through her relationship with money while also shining the spotlight on the high-wire finances of crime – from lavish spends to deep regrets to incredible danger. H...

Do you consider yourself wealthy or affluent? Do you know the differences between the two? Does it all come down to human nature? On this episode of Money Talks , host Katie Byrne is joined by Irish Independent personal finance columnist Sinéad Ryan to examine the financial divide between the people who look like they have it and those who actually do. ­ Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Sinéad Ryan ­ The...

Child benefit is one of Ireland’s few universal payments, but how you use that €140 a month could change your child’s future. Financial expert Sinead Ryan joins Katie Byrne to break down the smartest approaches to saving or investing it, from deposit accounts to managed funds and compound growth. Whether you’re starting on day one or your child’s already in secondary school, it’s not too late to b...

Warned at a young age that the art world was unlikely to yield much fortune, Helen Steele nonetheless committed to her dream and adopted a fearless approach that led to success and acclaim. On this episode of Money Talks , she paints a picture of a most vivid life; from dazzling career highs to personal and professional lows, including her struggles with ADHD and marriage separation. ­ Host: Katie...

Renovating a house can be a massive undertaking when it comes to your time, your energy and, of course, your money. So, how do you keep costs down and get things done in an efficient and enjoyable manner? Quantity surveyor Shay Lally of Houses to Restore joins us for a quickfire guide to home renovation, with red flags, hidden costs, available grants, the DIY approach and plenty more on the to-do...

In 2019, Rory King started a Facebook page to inspire people to travel more often and save money in the process. It was never meant to explode into a substantial business with 250,000 customers, but here we are. Mr King doesn’t intend to stop there. So, how does he convince so many people to sign up? And what do they get for their money? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Rory King The content of this podca...

Have you ever thought about overpaying your mortgage? It’s not for everyone, but it could rapidly shave years off your mortgage term and ultimately boost your bank balance. Martina Hennessy, CEO of online mortgage broker Doddl.ie, takes us through the dos, the don’ts, and the staggering amount of money you could save on interest. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Martina Hennessy The content of this podcas...

The ‘FIRE’ movement - ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early’ - dates back to the 1990s and is very much in fashion today among people who want to build a nest egg that allows them to walk away from their career in their 50s, 40s, or even their 30s. Michael Houghton, a major proponent of the movement, explains his journey so far, the key ways to save, and how he built a family portfolio of €700,000...

It’s that time of year again – the budget has landed. What does it mean for you and your bank balance? With last year’s ‘giveaway’ budget firmly consigned to the history books, it’s time to tighten our belts. On this episode of  Money Talks , the  Irish Independent  business team breaks down the winners, the losers and the main headlines from this year’s balance sheet. Host: Katie B...

At the height of the Celtic Tiger, artist Kevin Sharkey was living a champagne lifestyle, having made almost €5 million from selling his art. When the 2008 economic crash hit Ireland, his fortunes took a sudden turn for the worse. On this episode he talks about his harrowing upbringing, his creative comeback and why he’s still determined to live every day like his last. ­ Host: Katie Byrne. Guest:...

As a former financial adviser turned professional matchmaker, Mairead Loughman has the inside track on how money matters can impact romantic relationships. On this episode, she talks about financial red flags, how she manages her clients’ money expectations, and why she thinks the biggest financial decision you will ever make is who you decide to have a relationship with. ­ Host: Katie Byrne. Gues...

Having opened his first restaurant during the 2008 global economic crash, JP McMahon knows a thing or two about resilience. Very much a staple of the west of Ireland’s food scene, he also knows both the taste and the cost of fine dining. On this episode, he lifts the lid on his career to date, the demands of the industry, tipping culture, expensive meals and his creative exploits away from the kit...

Caz Mooney didn’t set out to become a budgeting guru with a huge following on social media, but life is funny sometimes. Having embarked on a strict and strategic “low-spend year” with her family, she cleared her debt and saved €15,000. On this episode of Money Talks, she takes us through the challenges, the successes and how to go about it. Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Caz Mooney The content of this...

Dublin-born but London-based Sara Stokes switched out a rock star lifestyle, touring with the likes of U2, to become an entrepreneur with a unique focus. She heads up Skn To Skn - a purpose-built beauty brand aimed at pregnant women. On this episode of Money Talks , she discusses when she spotted a gap in the market, how she bootstrapped the venture, and what the music industry taught her about ma...

What’s it like to become a millionaire in your early 20s? For Dublin-based games developer Dáire Bohan, the aim was to keep life as normal as possible. And so, he chose to keep his wealth quiet for as long as he could. Now, the secret is out. “It still feels a bit surreal to say the ‘M’ word,” he says, but he’s getting used to it. On this episode, he explains how his love of video games paid off,...

At just 23 years old, Lauren Whelan is one of the biggest Irish names on TikTok, boasting a following of almost two million. The social media influencing space is big business, and Whelan has the long term in mind, with a pension and a financial adviser as important to her portfolio as tapping into the latest online trends.    Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Lauren Whelan   The content of this podcast is...

Tired of the Dublin rat race, Paul Lawford quit his job, sold his material goods, and set about downsizing – literally. Having built himself a tiny house, Paul now runs Small Change, “a radical, sustainable and affordable approach to traditional housing”. Does it work? How much does it cost? And how much money could you save? Host: Katie Byrne Guest: Paul Lawford See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

At the peak of his tennis career, Conor Niland was ranked 129th in the world. Today, he’s an award-winning author and works in commercial property. On this episode of Money Talks, he brings us behind the scenes of the extremely competitive – and lucrative – sport of tennis, and the challenges that came with adapting to a more conventional nine-to-five. Host: Katie Byrne    Guest: Conor Niland See...